shrewd
shrewd は英検準1級レベルの英単語で、「抜け目のない」という意味があります。発音記号は /ʃruːd/ です。
抜け目のない
解説 Definition
物事の本質を鋭く見抜く能力があり、判断や決定が機敏で的確である。
If someone is shrewd, they are clever in a practical way and make good judgments, especially in business or difficult situations. A shrewd person notices important details and uses them to their advantage. The word often has a positive meaning, but it can sometimes suggest being slightly calculating.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
smart や clever よりも、現実の損得や相手の意図をすばやく見抜いて、有利に判断・行動できる人を思い浮かべると定着しやすい。a shrewd businessman, shrewd negotiator, a shrewd move のように、商談・交渉・投資の場面と相性がよい。単なる intelligent「知的」ではなく、実務的で計算もできる賢さ。やや「したたか」寄りだが、sly ほど露骨にずるい響きではない。
Think of someone who is not just smart, but smart in a practical, strategic way. `Shrewd` often fits business, deals, negotiation, and investment: `a shrewd businessman`, `a shrewd move`. It sounds more calculating than `clever`, but less openly negative than `sly`.
例文
Her shrewd observation helped solve the mystery.
彼女の鋭い観察力がその謎を解く手助けになった。
A shrewd businessman always checks the details carefully.
抜け目のない実業家は常に詳細を注意深くチェックする。
The detective had a shrewd eye for small clues.
その探偵は細かい手がかりを見抜く鋭い目を持っていた。
shrewd の類義語・関連語
類義語
紛らわしい語
shrewd の語源・成り立ち Etymology
中英語 shrewed に由来し、shrew「悪人・気難しい者」に -ed が付いた形です。shrew や shrewish と同根で、もとは「意地の悪い、悪賢い」に近い語感でしたが、そこから頭が回る「抜け目のない」へ意味が磨かれました。
"Shrewd" comes from Middle English shrewed, based on "shrew," which once meant a wicked or bad-tempered person. At first, the word had a negative sense like "malicious" or "cunning in a bad way." Later, the meaning shifted toward being sharp, clever, and good at judging situations. It is related to "shrew" and "shrewish."
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